Efforts on to arrest accused in molestation case: Gaikhangam

IMPHAL: Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam said on Tuesday that all-out efforts have been made to arrest NSCN (IM) leader Livingstone Anal, who allegedly molested and bashed up Manipuri film actress Khangembam Momoco. The film fraternity and civil bodies earlier relaxed the indefinite bandh they had called against Livingstone's excesses in view of Christmas.

Self-styled 'Lt Col' Livingstone (40) allegedly molested and bashed up Momoco during a musical concert held at Chandel on December 18 last. He also shot at two actors, Guna Shrama and Soraisham Prakash, who tried to stop him, though they escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, an all-party meeting chaired by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh decided to constitute a delegation and visit New Delhi to apprise the central leaders about the Manipur situation. The delegation will urge the Centre to hand over the NSCN (IM) cadre to the state government.

Film Forum Manipur (FFM), All Manipur Shumang Leela Council and various civil bodies said they would resume the indefinite bandh from Wednesday midnight.

Incidentally, the United Naga Council (UNC) has also called a 72-hour bandh from Wednesday night in the Naga areas of Manipur in protest against "communal attacks", especially on the Nagas in the valley.

The apex Naga body also put a ban on all Manipuri video and music CDs and cassettes, dramas and 'leela' (traditional courtyard theatre) in Naga-inhabited areas with immediate effect.

On Monday, the Manipur home department declared Livingstone as wanted and announced a cash reward of Rs five lakh for his arrest and for providing information leading to his arrest. The police have already registered a case against him u/s 307/426/511/400 IPC read with section 25 (I-C) Arms Act.

"From all angles, strenuous efforts have been made to nab Livingstone. We are doing our job. A criminal is a criminal. The ministry of home affairs has already been intimated to do the needful to arrest Livingstone," Gaikhangam told reporters on Tuesday.

Condemning Livingstone's act in the strongest terms, Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said the crime committed by the NSCN (IM) leader is against humanity.

Stating that bandhs have severely affected both the hill and valley people, Gaikhangam appealed to all concerned, particularly the UNC, not to impose any bandh or blockade.

Meanwhile, the last rites of television journalist Thangjam Dwijamani who was killed while on duty in police firing were performed at his birthplace, Thangmeibandh, in Imphal West on Tuesday.

Earlier, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh led a large number of people including mediapersons and the bereaved family in paying floral tribute to the mortal remains of Dwijamani at Manipur press club here amid a tearful scene. A huge procession was also taken out with his body in Imphal streets.